Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2)

Breast Cancer Susceptibility Genes (BRCA1 and BRCA2)

Breast cancer susceptibility genes: Inherited factors that predispose to breast cancer. Put otherwise, these genes make one more susceptible to the disease and so increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Two of these genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, have been identified (and prominently publicized). Several other genes are also known to predispose to breast cancer.

A number of factors have been identified that increase the risk of breast cancer. One of the strongest of these risk factors is the history of breast cancer in a relative. About15-20% of women with breast cancer have such a family history of the disease, clearly reflecting the participation of inherited (genetic) components in the development of some breast cancers.